Juniata Township near Indian Lake in Bedford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Over the Summit
Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 15, 2011
1. Over the Summit Marker
Inscription.
Over the Summit. Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. Even when blessed with good roads and good weather, crossing the Alleghenies on the Lincoln Highway was a challenge for the early motorist. Steep grades and winding roads resulted in overheated engines and severe cases of vertigo. Entrepreneurs along the Lincoln Highway’s many summits established business to respond to this dilemma. One of the most famous Lincoln Highway landmarks in Pennsylvania and in the country was the S.S. Grand View Point located ½ mile east of this point.
“See 3 states, 7 counties”---For decades this was the slogan that greeted motorists as they climbed the Allegheny Mountain summit and rounded the sharp bend. The S.S. Grand View Point was the brainchild of Herbert Paulson, a Dutch immigrant. He began with a roadside stand and picnic/camping area: then expanded it to resemble a castle with multiple overlooks. The structure was cantilevered under and had 18 steel beams anchoring it. A telescope beckoned visitors to enjoy the 60+ mile view.
Because of his love of the sea, in 1932 Paulson transformed the castle structure into a ship---complete with observation decks, captain’s wheel, life preservers and lighthouses. Immediately it became a famous Lincoln Highway landmark. Paulson kept a log of visitors to the Ship: some of the more famous were George Burns, Joan Crawford, and Henry Ford. When the PA Turnpike opened in 1940, travelers preferred the new superhighway over the Lincoln Highway, and business declined.
New owners in the 1970’s attempted unsuccessfully to revive the site calling it Noah’s Ark. For more than twenty years the Ship sat idle and fell into serious disrepair. In the early morning hours of October 26, 2001, the S.S. Grand View Ship Hotel burned to the ground. Today, Lincoln Highway motorists still enjoy the view of “3 states and 7 counties” as they travel over the Allegheny Mountain summit.
Even when blessed with good roads and good weather, crossing the Alleghenies on the Lincoln Highway was a challenge for the early motorist. Steep grades and winding roads resulted in overheated engines and severe cases of vertigo. Entrepreneurs along the Lincoln Highway’s many summits established business to respond to this dilemma. One of the most famous Lincoln Highway landmarks in Pennsylvania and in the country was the S.S. Grand View Point located ½ mile east of this point.
“See 3 states, 7 counties”---For decades this was the slogan that greeted motorists as they climbed the Allegheny Mountain summit and rounded the sharp bend. The S.S. Grand View Point was the brainchild of Herbert Paulson, a Dutch immigrant. He began with a roadside stand and picnic/camping area: then expanded it to resemble a castle with multiple overlooks. The structure was cantilevered under and had 18 steel beams anchoring it. A telescope beckoned visitors to enjoy the 60+ mile view.
Because of his love of the sea, in 1932 Paulson transformed the castle structure into a ship---complete with observation decks, captain’s wheel, life preservers and lighthouses. Immediately it became a famous Lincoln Highway landmark. Paulson kept a log of visitors to the Ship: some of the more famous were George Burns, Joan Crawford, and Henry Ford.
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When the PA Turnpike opened in 1940, travelers preferred the new superhighway over the Lincoln Highway, and business declined.
New owners in the 1970’s attempted unsuccessfully to revive the site calling it Noah’s Ark. For more than twenty years the Ship sat idle and fell into serious disrepair. In the early morning hours of October 26, 2001, the S.S. Grand View Ship Hotel burned to the ground. Today, Lincoln Highway motorists still enjoy the view of “3 states and 7 counties” as they travel over the Allegheny Mountain summit.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 26, 1836.
Location. 40° 2.232′ N, 78° 45.516′ W. Marker is near Indian Lake, Pennsylvania, in Bedford County. It is in Juniata Township. Marker is on Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 534 Lincoln Hwy, Schellsburg PA 15559, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 762 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on November 22, 2012. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
